\De*rive"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Derived}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deriving}.] [F. d['e]river, L. derivare; de- + rivus
stream, brook. See {Rival}.]
1. To turn the course of, as water; to divert and distribute
into subordinate channels; to diffuse; to communicate; to
transmit; -- followed by to, into, on, upon. [Obs.]
For fear it [water] choke up the pits . . . they
[the workman] derive it by other drains. --Holland.
Her due loves derived to that vile witch's share.
--Spenser.
Derived to us by tradition from Adam to Noah. --Jer.
Taylor.
2. To receive, as from a source or origin; to obtain by
descent or by transmission; to draw; to deduce; --
followed by from.
3. To trace the origin, descent, or derivation of; to
recognize transmission of; as, he derives this word from
the Anglo-Saxon.
From these two causes . . . an ancient set of
physicians derived all diseases. --Arbuthnot.
4. (Chem.) To obtain one substance from another by actual or
theoretical substitution; as, to derive an organic acid
from its corresponding hydrocarbon.
Syn: To trace; deduce; infer.

\De*rive"\, v. i.
To flow; to have origin; to descend; to proceed; to be
deduced. --Shak.
Power from heaven Derives, and monarchs rule by gods
appointed. --Prior.